D' Ultimate Lich King

The Fuyuki night air was a welcome change; the winter chill soothed Rin's feverish skin.

She mused that if she could find Ayaka before the last train, it would be perfect. But only two hours remained; not enough time.

"So quiet…" Rin walked alone; the usually bustling night market was deathly still.

She'd investigate the New Town first. Going to the Deep Mountain area would only lead the magical compass to the Tohsaka mansion, risking discovery by her father.

Opening the compass, Rin was confused.

"…What's this?"

The usually slightly-moving needle spun wildly. She'd never seen this before; it felt ominous.

Looking down, Rin gasped. The needle was frozen, pointing to the source of the magical energy.

Something was there, emitting strange magical energy.

"…."

This was what she sought!

Finding a clue so quickly was a good start. Rin planned to check all suspicious locations in the New Town, confirming Ayaka's location. This was her first lead.

She would proceed.

As Rin discovered this, Arthas and the others made a similar discovery.

"Convenient. I thought you'd escaped,"

Arthas narrowed his eyes, a cold smile playing on his lips, sensing the familiar magical energy.

"Is it the Caster?"

Illya asked, sensing the unusual magical energy.

"Yes, definitely the Caster's magic,"

Arthas nodded, following Rin into the dark basement.

Darkness. Rin heard faint crying.

The voice… familiar… Terrible images flashed through her mind; she checked her compass.

The needle stopped, pointing to the back of the dark basement.

An abandoned underground bar, awaiting its next owner.

"Hiss… hiss…" A strange sound, like a snake; Rin felt a chill.

"Ayaka, are you there?" Rin called out bravely; her childish voice echoed.

"No… no… no… absolutely no…"

A breath, like something approaching, came from the corridor.

Sobbing, weak moans, and a strong smell of blood…

Ayaka wasn't there; even if she was, she wouldn't be the same.

If Rin found anything, it would be Ayaka's corpse.

"No…"

Rin screamed as the darkness revealed itself.

"My, my, such a cute girl came to find me," a delighted voice echoed from the darkness; the man seemed pleased with his recent victim.

Rin saw Ayaka's body on the bar counter; blood flowed freely; her small body was mutilated; something was wrapped around the bloody man's hand.

"Ugh…" Rin vomited and wept.

"My, my, little girl, I was experimenting with using intestines for cat's cradle; it's fun; want to join me?" The man smiled cruelly, withdrawing the dagger from the girl.

Ayaka might still be alive; her small body twitched; her pale eyes met Rin's.

"AAAAAH!!!!!"

Purple light flashed; a magical torrent struck the man.

"Tch, what…" A device on the man's wrist, given by his Caster Servant to lure children, glowed; still, he was knocked down.

Run! Rin fled towards the stairs.

"Now, now, running isn't fun; you'll be eaten!" The man's lazy voice followed.

The compass spun wildly; a magical torrent enveloped Rin.

This… feeling…

The inescapable, unthinking despair of death.

Young Rin experienced the essence of magecraft.

She couldn't move or scream; the terror was overwhelming.

A ringing sound filled her ears; she thought it was the despair crushing her; her senses were failing.

Then, something froze and shattered; Rin felt a warm embrace, like her father's.

"Are you alright?"

A gentle voice; Rin looked up; it was a familiar face.

"It's… you?!"

She remembered this man; he'd taken her sister, Sakura, that day.

Though she knew it was her father's order, and this man seemed better than her father, Rin still resented him.

If… he hadn't done that, Sakura wouldn't be gone.

This man was also a participant in the Grail War; he was her father's enemy.

Rin's fear vanished; she felt safe in his arms.

Meanwhile, seeing the man's prey snatched away, the Caster's Master frowned, looking at the uninvited guest.

"Who are you, interrupting Ryuunosuke's fun?"

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